Jeffry Hill is a consultant who advises farmers how to improve their gardens, yards, and farms.
Manure is one of the best low-cost soil-building resources. Manures include a broad spectrum of soil nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Depending on your location, you may be surrounded by people that would be glad to have you take manure from them for free. Some farmers sell manure by the truckload while others would give it for free if you agree to remove it without their involvement. Garden centers also sell bagged composted manure, however this kind of manure usually has a high concentration of salt and fewer nutrients.
The amount and type of nutrients in manure depend on the species of animals, type, and amount of added bedding, for example, straw or wood chips, and whether the manure is composted or fresh. Generally, fresh manures will release more nutrients than composted manures. Composted manures, on the other hand, are highly effective in the long run at improving soil organic matter. Composted manures also may need an addition of supplemental fertilizers.
The effect from using both composted and fresh manures is cumulative. Manures will keep releasing nutrients and help the soil build organic matter up to five years after being added. This means that if you add manures to the soil on a regular basis, additional fertilizers will eventually be unnecessary for you.
This being said, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing, which is why you may need professional help from an agriculture consultant like Jeffry Hill. Manures are usually high in salts. They can also oversupply your soil with certain nutrients. This is why it is important to regularly perform soil tests, not add too much manure in a single season, and give your garden or yard a break from manure every three years.
Manure is one of the best low-cost soil-building resources. Manures include a broad spectrum of soil nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Depending on your location, you may be surrounded by people that would be glad to have you take manure from them for free. Some farmers sell manure by the truckload while others would give it for free if you agree to remove it without their involvement. Garden centers also sell bagged composted manure, however this kind of manure usually has a high concentration of salt and fewer nutrients.
The amount and type of nutrients in manure depend on the species of animals, type, and amount of added bedding, for example, straw or wood chips, and whether the manure is composted or fresh. Generally, fresh manures will release more nutrients than composted manures. Composted manures, on the other hand, are highly effective in the long run at improving soil organic matter. Composted manures also may need an addition of supplemental fertilizers.
The effect from using both composted and fresh manures is cumulative. Manures will keep releasing nutrients and help the soil build organic matter up to five years after being added. This means that if you add manures to the soil on a regular basis, additional fertilizers will eventually be unnecessary for you.
This being said, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing, which is why you may need professional help from an agriculture consultant like Jeffry Hill. Manures are usually high in salts. They can also oversupply your soil with certain nutrients. This is why it is important to regularly perform soil tests, not add too much manure in a single season, and give your garden or yard a break from manure every three years.